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Friday, 1 October 2010

With previous experience working for the inspirational Alexander McQueen and the fabulous design-duo Viktor and Rolf, it is no surprise that womenswear designer, Iris Van Herpen, possesses a passion for avant-garde and experimental fashion.

After previewing ten pieces from her SS ‘11 collection earlier this summer at Amsterdam International Fashion Week, Iris recently revealed the complete collection in London and is now on display in Paris at the VFS showroom.

Entitled 'Crystallization', Iris’s latest designs are inspired by the transformation of liquid to solid, or more specifically, water to crystal. With help from Product design specialists, MGX by Materialise, Iris has created 3D features on her conceptual pieces representative of flowing water and icy particles. Panelled, woven and pleated ‘Ecco’ leather in shades of icy white and shiny taupe together form intricate dresses with a futuristic edge. For this season, Iris has also collaborated with United Nude to design and create several pairs of stunning shoe boots, decoratively draped with small silver chains and leather cording, adding a stylistic feature in tone with the entire collection.

For the past six seasons, Dutch born Iris has presented previous collections at Amsterdam and Tokyo Fashion Weeks: Now with support from Vauxhall Fashion Scout, world wide press attention and well received showcases at both London and Paris Fashion Week, word of the Iris Van Herpen label has become international...

To see her new SS11 collection head down to the Fashion Scout Paris Showroom at 10-12 rue des Coutures Saint-Gervais, 75003, Paris!

Thursday, 30 September 2010

Una Burke is featured in Dazed & Confused's October issue alongside Alexander Mcqueen, as styled by Robbie Spencer and photographed by Anthony Maule.

Una is exhibiting in our Paris Showroom, and from tomorrow she will also be exhibiting at Premiere Classe's Paris Showroom at Jardin des Tuileries, Terrassc des Feuillan, 75001, Paris until Tuesday 5th October.

To see a selection of her new SS11 collection head down to the Fashion Scout Paris Showroom at 10-12 rue des Coutures Saint-Gervais, 75003, Paris!

Picture this: 4,000 pairs of stylish shoes, displayed within six uniquely themed galleries and eleven luxurious designer boutiques, all stretched over 35, 000 square feet of glamorous retail space… No readers, this is not one of your delightful ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ daydreams; this is the scene of Selfridges’ newly opened Shoe Galleries. With a record-breaking title of ‘largest shoe department in the world,’ this is quite literally shoe-a-holic heaven!

Located in the Oxford street store’s second floor, the chic shoe space designed by Canadian architect, Jamie Fobert, houses fun and quirky footwear themed features such as a giant Cinderella-style glass shoe, display tables created completely out of old wooden shoe-lasts and an instore photo booth where shoppers can pose with their wishful purchase.

The extensive galleries and boutiques (or should I say ‘shoe-tiques’) are home to over 150 different labels ranging from high-street favs, Topshop and River Island, to mid range brands including L.K Bennet and Kurt Geiger… and of course, any shoe gallery wouldn’t be complete without classic Louboutins and Jimmy Choos, amongst an array of further high-end designers.

Selfridges’ wide offering of different styles, sizes and price tags creates a shopping experience accessible for all; from teenage girls wishing to treat themselves to a brand new pair of party heels, to the retailer’s regular and wealthier clientele.

After a fun-filled preview party on the eve of London Fashion Week, the doors to the Shoe Galleries officially opened last Friday by British actress and model, Gemma Arterton. In conjunction with the launch, Selfridges revealed their first ‘Shoe Galleries’ ad-campaign, shot by fashion photography great, Bruce Weber: A series of photographs depicts a ‘shoeper hero,’ who saves the day by solving the shoe crisis and fulfilling all shoe dreams… aaaah how nice!

With London quickly becoming the world’s favorite luxury shopping destination, Selfridges will surely become the heart and ‘sole’ (excuse the pun) of shoe shopping worldwide.

Wednesday, 29 September 2010

Earlier this month The Fashion Scout revealed news that VFS designer, Carianne Moore, was to collaborate with Swarovski to create a fashion film, campaigning her new SS 11 collection... and it’s finally here!

If you are unable to visit Carianne’s exhibition stand at our Paris Show Room this weekend, then why not catch a glittery glimpse simply by clicking play above! Enjoy!

Tuesday, 28 September 2010

Upon graduating from London’s RCA in 2007 with a masters degree in womenswear, David Longshaw has received copious award nominations, worked for the prestigious Italian design houses, Max Mara and Alberta Ferretti, and debuted his label at our very own ‘Ones to Watch’ last season with his AW ‘10 collection entitled ‘Escaping Emily.’ For this season David will once again be gracing us with his presence, this time at the VFS Paris showroom, commencing Thursday 30th September. In between his well-received SS ‘11 showcase in London and his forthcoming display in Paris, David took time to tell me about his success since Ones To Watch, the story behind his latest collection and his future plans and aspirations...

How has your womenswear label progressed since showing as one of Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s ‘One’s To Watch’ last season?

I won the BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad, which has been great for helping raise my profile (and it was nice seeing Helena Christensen in one of my dresses in ELLE!) I've also found that more stores have been getting in touch since hearing about my win, so hopefully I should have some exciting new stockists for my S/S ‘11 collection.

‘Shaz! Shaz! over 'ere, look at this prick with all the ruffles and shit on. Na, I bet I’d look well boss in that!’

It’s summer and a group of hoodies, bored and with nothing in particular to do, have broken into a stately home. With good intentions of petty vandalism and theft, they are distracted by the period costumes on display. They start to dress up and the fun begins....

Have you got a favourite piece from the collection?

It changes everyday, put probably the one that Vauxhall Fashion Scout shot for the preview. It combines a print I created with one of my illustrations and photos together with sculptural fabric manipulation.

Do you think your previous work at the Italian Fashion Houses, Alberta Ferretti and Max Mara, has had an influence on your own style of design?

It was incredibly valuable working in Italy for two big fashion houses to help me understand the business side of the industry…Working for myself allows me more creative freedom though.

Describe the 'David Longshaw woman'?

Complicated and feminine.

What has been your greatest achievement as a designer so far?

People with a fashion pedigree like Mary Quant, Alberta Ferretti and Isabella Blow, complimenting my work.

As well as a fashion designer, you are a contributing writer to Fashion 156, the creator behind Maudezine and a fantastic illustrator… is there anything you can’t do David?

Cook! I'm appalling; I once tried to grill a pizza (worryingly one of my friends was helping!)

You are currently stocked at Sister Japan and Young British Designers, where else would you love to see your pieces stocked?

I want my pieces to be stocked in stores that really love my work; I don't have a particular dream store. To be stocked in the fashion capitals and key cities is a long-term aspiration.

For the last two seasons you have collaborated with jewellery designer, Kirsty Ward, are there any other designers you would like to form a collaborative relationship with in the near future?

Well I also collaborate with milliner Katherine Lee; she has worked with me in different ways each season (not actually on a hat yet) since my RCA (MA) days. The last two seasons I've also worked with knit designer Lily Hibbert.

When and if you ever have time away from working, what are your guilty pleasures?

Going to the cinema with my girlfriend and buying pick and mix.

And finally, you are exhibiting at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Paris show room this season: What are your plans once Paris Fashion Week is over?

To finalise orders, start production for the S/S ‘11 collection and start designing for A/W ‘11, which I'm already getting excited about.

For more details on David and his whimsical creations please visit his WEBSITE

Monday, 27 September 2010

Now as I've spent my past week fully submerged in the ever consuming world of London Fashion Week, this weekend was was my chance to sleep and more importantly eat a hot meal. However I found out Fashion Scout had other ideas - with a fashion show in association with Against Breast Cancer planned, I couldn't miss out on the chance to attend.

The show was set amongst live music acts and a live auction at none other than Robin Gibb's house in the Oxfordshire countryside. With collections from Paul Costelloe, Pringle and incredible selection of designers from Matches, and with hair design by Lee Stafford himself, backstage was filled with excitement.

Following the 'Splash of Pink' theme, the guests looked as incredible as the decorated marquee. With generous donations and bids from most of the guests including the Dragons Den dragons, Meg Matthews, Keith Duffy, Noel Edmonds and Sir Leslie Phillips. Having already raised nearly half a million from ticket sales, the target of a million looked very close.

An enjoyable day had by all made much better by the ever so chirpy compare Ben Shepherd, now just how can I improve on that next Saturday...?

Readers, take a little look on FTape.com to see a sneak peak of the latest magical creations by Dutch Designer, Iris Van Herpen. After an astonishing preview in Amsterdam earlier this summer, Iris’ SS ‘11 Collection entitled ‘Crystalization’ will also be presented at our very own Paris Show Room, opening this Thursday.

Iris tells FTape the inspiration behind her latest collection:

“I am fascinated by the fact that there are secret lines hidden in totally transparent and liquid material. Life appears at the moment of freezing when crystals form. Only then become the underlying symmetry and structure visible.”